Like and Unlike

The possible/appropriate meanings of 'Like' in FB:
a) I agree with your post/comment.
b) I like the post/comment.
c) I was entertained by the post/comment.

Questionable or inappropriate uses of 'Like' in FB:
a) On a post announcing the death of someone.
b) On a post informing of some misfortune.
b) On a post that you don't understand or doesn't make any sense.

And 'Unlike' means 'different'. It does not mean that you change your mind about liking something - no matter how persistently FB uses it that way.

But then again.. man-made languages are like that right. For all you know, that twisted meaning will creep itself into the dictionaries because of persistent usage. Oh well.

Make courtesy our way of life

I don't understand why it's so difficult to find the lyrics to an old (1980's) national courtesy campaign song, on the web.
Shouldn't it exist in any one of the many government websites?

Anyway, before I lose again, here it is.
I'm not sure how the whole original song goes but here's my arrangement:

Courtesy is for free
Courtesy is for you and me.
It makes for gracious living and harmony
Giving a friendly smile
Helping out where we can
We should try to be polite all the time

Courtesy is for free
Courtesy is for you and me.
It makes for gracious living and harmony
Living could be a treat
If people are awfully sweet
Courtesy could be our way of life

It is rude to be abusive, just to prove we're right
Instead we could be nice about it if we tried

Courtesy is for free
Courtesy is for you and me.
It makes for gracious living and harmony
Living could be a treat
If people are awfully sweet
Courtesy could be our way of life

Let us make courtesy our way of life.


Re-arranged by Madame Blossom.
Let's record this and make a music video.

ombak bergelora

Alhamdulillah aku belum tonton Ombak Rindu. Setelah membaca pandangan seorang penonton (yang memberi sokongan pada filem itu), aku rasa tak ingin. Aku menyesal juga baca tulisannya kerana dengan itu, aku dah terbaca tentang beberapa 'sexy bedroom scenes', berserta gambar, yang aku tak dapat terima sebagai seorang Islam dan Melayu. Islam dan Melayu yang aku anggap sangat beradab dan bersopan.

Sejujur-jujurnya, korang selesa ke dengan adegan2 tu? DOSA tu tak payah nak cakaplah - sudah terang dan pasti.

Setelah kita asyik sumbatkan otak-otak orang-orang awam, termasuk anak-anak remaja kita, dengan adegan2 'sexy', malah dalam filem2 Melayu juga, dengan bodohnya kita hairan, kenapa semakin banyak masalah dan jenayah sex yang berleluasa di kalangan orang-orang kita.

Ini adalah antara sebab2 kenapa aku selalu kecewa sangat dengan kebanyakan filem2 Melayu. Kurang keaslian dan lemah dalam pendirian. Asyik nak 'daring' macam orang barat, dengan mengikut anggapan 'sex sells'.

The Science of Authenticity

The Science of Authenticity is a greatly needed subject in the modern world where lies and deceit are rampant.

This subject exists in Islamic studies where scholars are required to determine if hadith (stories of the sayings and actions of the Prophet SAW) are indeed authentic (sahih) - in order to avoid new practises or beliefs based on hearsay.

When I was studying U'lum Hadith - the Science of Hadith - I was very much amazed at the level of scrutiny the scholars of old, did on each hadith. Each informant of the hadith must be accounted for - until it reaches Rasulullah SAW. Alhamdulillah, by the 3rd to 5th lines of informant, people have begun to write books, and copies of these books exist to this day. E.g. Imam Malik's 'Muwatta', and Imam Bukhari's 'Sahih Bukhari'.

Not only does each informant have to be accounted for - their moral values and personalities are also studied. Are they known to be forgetful (even if it's a single word that he forgets)? Are they sincere and honest (even to animals)?

Those scholars of old have very very good memory. (If they sit for any exams now, I'm sure they'd get full marks.) Imam Bukhari was known to have memorised tens of thousands of hadiths - and he memorised each word and the names of each informant for the hadith and their traits. And of course, he memorised the whole Quran too.

Subhanallah. I'm not sure if there is anyone in the current times who can come as close, to his knowledge, intelligence and ability.

One thing common in these people of knowledge is that they are humble. Personally for me, if I meet someone who seems intelligent, but he is arrogant - I don't believe he has gained that much knowledge yet.

I believe that if someone has truly attained the desired level of intelligence and knowledge - he would naturally be humble. He would realise that his knowledge is still a meagre of the whole knowledge that is available on the earth, and not to mention, universe. He knows and he feels it, that these knowledge can only come from Allah SWT.



Noted - I digressed a bit.

old people

you think old people are boring and stupid?
you think they were never young before?
you think they have not seen, thought of, or did
the stupid things that you are doing now?
you think they don't know why and how?
how infantile your mind is
if you can't see beyond this.

~madame blossom~

Moon River

Once upon a time, English songs used to be sweet and decent.
Now most of them are loud and/or vulgar.


Moon River, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style some day.
Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker,
wherever you're going I'm going your way.

Two drifters off to see the world.
There's such a lot of world to see.
We're after the same rainbow's end--
waiting 'round the bend,
my huckleberry friend,
Moon River and me.

Things to do (Dec 2011)

Very soon, that month year is going to look like it's been a long time ago. That is how fast time leaves us.

At the speed of time. A phrase that I suddenly thought of. Shall ponder about it later.

I'm mentally arranging the list of things that I need/want to accomplish within 1-2 months. Then I thought, why not jot it down here. By the way, I'm not feeling well today. On medical leave. Still, I'm psyching myself up to get some things done. I did 1 round of laundry. Yeay me!

Ok, list of things to accomplish in order of (current) priority.

1) Read up the book on Balaghah. Then, write a paper on this subject, submit to the college in order to get my Diploma. Alhamdulillah, they are giving me a chance to do that. So I MUST!
2) Go through the editing of 'Madame Blossom's Book of Poems'. Look out for that. I don't know yet if I'll find a publisher or self publish.
3) Work on the script 'Personal Business'
4) Work on the story of 'Pasrah'

Ok.. let's leave it at that first. I don't want to be overwhelmed. I don't even know when I will finish that 1st task on the list. Take it easy, but not too slow. Hope to take it at the speed of time.

I don't like

I hate don't like :

surprises (unless they are certain(!) what I like.)
my nails, long
detours (except during / for leisure)
sudden changes in routine
hair on my face
too much food
talking crap
trophies and plaques
working at least 8 hours a day to make someone one I don't know rich
mindless and endless entertainments on TV
FB and Twitter (it's like a stupidity drug - must control access)
sound of television (unless I'm watching - which is rare)
rude children
company dinners with programmes to make a fool out of employees
in fact, any off office hours company gatherings without family (haven't you taken enough time from us already?)
thoughtless souvenirs and doorgifts (adding to the world rubbish)
my failure to discipline myself
my inability to quickly adapt to domestic needs + working
stolen time - stolen by the quest for money

Right. These are the unplugged, spur of the moment thought, of the things I hate don't like.

Ya Allah, grant me patience and perseverance. Aamiin.

rebel with a reason

I posted this on FB



"Those who found Islam, not born Muslim, like to call themselves a 'REVERT' rather than a 'CONVERT' because they believe that finding Islam, is returning to the true nature of man - that is to submit to the ONE God.

Tattooed or pierced - masyaAllah.. that didn't stop him from being a better Muslim that a lot of born Muslims."

There's something else I wanted to say about this man. The other thing that I find interesting is that before he con.. REVERTED, he was a rebellious young man. He was a heavy metal punk musician, and he wrote songs about things he was rebelling about. He was angry about the state of his society. He questioned life. He was sure there is something more to it than just property, money, and wealth.

The point is, he had a stand. He wasn't doing stuff because he is following the crowd, trying to fit in or just plain vain.

I wish a lot of our Malay artistes or singers have something they stand for, that they want to share through their work and their songs. Then, to me, they have essence and substance. I admire singers who write their own songs to spread an idea or message. Of course the good ones. Even if they cannot write their own songs - they are choosy about the songs they sing.

I don't care much about singers who sing other people's songs, with no thought of their own. Those who become artistes not because they see it as a platform to do something good - but just as an opportunity to make money, be famous or be vain. :-|

introvert

Here are 10 myths about an introvert from Carl Kingdom of which #1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 - I feel, describes me. (you need to click on the link to read. Yes. that's it.)

I'm not sure if I AM an introvert though. Last time I had some kind of simple test during some company course, about 10-15 years ago, I think I was categorised as an introvert-extrovert. Whatever that means. Ok... these are all labels made up by man.. Anyhow.. I just thought I'd post this for myself and for you, in case you wonder or want to understand why I am the way I am.

Yes, maybe that's why introverts are better on blogs.. because they can talk about what interests them or is important to them - without having to put up with small talks or talks about other things they don't care much for.

The USS story

So finally I managed to convince my parents to come along with us to Universal Studios Singapore. My mom, cannot walk long distance. Her legs would hurt. I promised her I'll rent a wheelchair to push her around.

What came as a good blessing to that is, people on wheelchairs + 3 accompanying people get Express Access to rides! Haha. So my mum was coaxed into getting on a few rides, just so that we can get Express access. :p But we didn't make her go on the Mummy ride, Cylon or Human. The older kids got the Express tickets because of the crowd. It was worth it. An Express ticket, entitles you to the Express lane, but only once per ride. They went about on their own.

So when we arrived, the first ride we took was a Madagascar indoor boat ride - i forgot the name of the ride. Three quarter through the ride, the sound system broke down, and these mechanical characters were just moving about without accompanying music or dialogues. Needless to say, the ride was closed down for repair right after that. We were glad anyway that we managed to complete that ride.

Then we went for a few other rides and attractions, had our lunch and after that went for the newly opened Transformer ride. The Transformer ride was good! The ride itself is quite mild, with a few jerks here and there. It's the 4D scenes and effects that were awesome. As the ride was about to end and we were about to reach the alighting bay, the whole ride broke down. We were stuck in the capsule for about 10-15 minutes before they finally decide to let us out of the capsule and walk on the track. My mom survived the big step down from the capsule and the 15m walk to the exit. Alhamdulillah we were near the exit. So.. that ride also closed down for repairs right after that.

We were planning to go on the Battlestar Galactica rides (Cylon & Human). After the two breakdowns - we were not so sure. We had our solat and coffee breaks. We stayed around until night time. Finally hubby and I, did take the Battlestar Galactica rides - yes both of them - thanks to our children coaxing us to do so. It was.. hmm. crazy but fun. I nearly lost my voice. The older kids had gone on the two rides 7-8 times in total.

All in all, everyone had a great day at USS yesterday, alhamdulillah.

I won't be going there again anytime soon - unless we get free tickets. After a while you do find that it's all the same old thing, you know.

As I walked out of one of the last rides, I thought to myself, masyaAllah, subhanallah - how God granted knowledge and creativity to these people to invent such rides and experiences. Some quite amazing. Can't help wonder and thinking about how much more amazing Reality must be. Subhanallah.

why shouldn't I work for the NSA

I'd like to look for a local actor who can carry out something like this..

One of my favourite scenes, from one of my favourite movies.

nauseous

Sometimes I think of FB and Twitter and I get nauseous.

showing appreciation

One day, the boss of a manufacturing company that produces paper weights decides to get 3 brand new expensive cars for his employees. He asks his secretary to give it to Employee A, B & C.

Employee A receives the car without a word of gratitude whatsoever. He comes to work late now. Once, he even smashed the potted plants outside the office with the given car, and showed no remorse whatsoever.

Employee B is very grateful for the car. Every time he passes by the boss and his secretary, he would greet both of them, then say thank you to the secretary for the car. When the secretary reminds Employee B that the car was a gift from the boss and not her, he would tell the secretary to relay the gratitude to the boss for him, ignoring the boss who is right in front of him.

Employee C is very grateful for the car too. He doesn't thank the secretary. He doesn't thank the boss either. He buys the paper weight that the company manufactures, puts it on his desk, and everyday after greeting the boss, he turns to the paper weight to say to it, 'thank you for the car'.

What do you think of Employee A, B and C?
Have they shown due respect and gratitude to their boss for the gifts?

she didn't make an effort?

Any person in a situation is not a simple matter. How easy it is for us to accuse the mother of not making an effort to register her daughter for kindergarten.

What people don't know is, the mother cannot speak English much, and therefore have very very low confidence and courage to speak to the principal or school administrator about it. It doesn't help when the school administrator speaks in such a condescending manner to the mother when she has to communicate with them.

The mother is very dependent on the father to arrange these matters. However father may also not be familiar or confident enough to fill up the complicated forms. Yes, it may be simple to us, but complicated to them. In fact, sometimes it's complicated even to us, what more to them?

On top of that, the father is working as a security officer, and his boss may be the bossy type who doesn't allow employees to take leave without 6 months prior notice - and he is afraid of losing his job. He is even afraid to ask his boss (haven't you ever been apprehensive about asking your boss for urgent leave before?)

Even if they have managed to fill up the forms, she will need to go find a shop that will photocopy her documents for her (e.g. IC, birth certs), and she has 2 toddlers and 2 babies to bring along. She doesn't have taxi money to conveniently do that. She wouldn't dare ask the school to do it - they may scold her for not preparing her documents.

It can be quite a daunting effort for the mother to navigate through all these difficulties to 'make an effort to register her daughter for kindergarten'. Of course, all these can be avoided, if the school itself is helpful enough to help photocopy and fill up the form for her and then ask her to bring missing documents, if any, to complete her registration.

Actually it's the school who didn't make an effort to help her, when they are in the capacity to do that.

win-win

Self reminder:

Our responsibility is to share the message or give advice. It's God's authority to give guidance, by His grace, to the person receiving the advice.

In the same manner, it is our responsibility to do our best in the job we are working on. It's Allah's authority and decree whether it will reap success or face failure, in order to test us. So as long as we are sincere in our effort, fret not about the outcome so much. Know that our efforts with good intentions, are already rewarded. Success, if it follows, is a bonus.

But then again, bonus can also come in another form - that is in our patience and perseverance when faced with failure.

As long as we are sincere in our efforts, insyaAllah, it can always be a win-win situation for us, in our Record Book.